Stanbic IBTC: FRC did not follow due process—CBN

LAGOS — The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has condemned in strong terms recent sanctions approved by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN, against the board and management of Stanbic IBTC Holding, SIBTCH, saying the council did not follow due process.

CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele

The FRCN had, amongst others, sacked four directors of Stanbic IBTC, including its Chairman, Mr. Atedo Peterside, for alleged infractions, while also calling for the withdrawal of its financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014.

But in a five-page letter, dated, November, 2, 2015, and signed by the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, which was obtained by Vanguard, the apex bank also said the FRCN action was capable of eroding investors’ confidence as well as causing financial instability in the system.

After a careful review of the issues, apart from bluntly turning down FRCN’s request to take disciplinary action against StanbicIBTC, the CBN also advised the board of the embattled bank to discountenance the FRCN’s sanctions.

The CBN said: “In the light of the foregoing facts, which clearly show that FRCN did not follow due process, the bank regrets to inform you that it is unable to accede to your request to take disciplinary action against SIBTCH. Indeed, the CBN does not see any reason to advise/compel SIBTCH to obey the sanctions metted to it by the FRCN.”

The letter was addressed to the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, FRCN, and was entitled: Re: Regulatory Decision in the Matter of Financial Statements of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc for Years ended 31st December 2013 and 2014.

The CBN letter with reference number: GVD/GOV/CON/DGF/93/113, also read in part: “We are seriously concerned that such a drastic regulatory decision could be taken on an entity under the regulation and supervision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) without any form of consultation with the bank, especially as the CBN is responsible for promoting safe, stable and sound financial system. Yet, such a regulatory decision and the manner of the announcement is not only capable of eroding investors’ confidence but also inimical to the financial system stability.”

To underscore the implications of FRCN’s action on Nigeria’s financial system stability, the CBN further noted: “Indeed, the FRC’s action has already precipitated a fall in the value of the shares of Stanbic IBTC by about 18 per cent since the announcement of the Regulatory Decision.”

CBN observations

The CBN in a 13-point observation faulting the FRCN’s actions also observed as follows:

lContrary to the allegation of the FRCN that Stanbic IBTC (SIBTC) did not obtain approval from the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) for the payment of affiliate software license, our review revealed that the bank actually obtained the necessary approval from NOTAP to pay affiliate software license from the Standard Bank South Africa (SBSA), for a period of three years covering June 2012 to May 30, 2015. The remittance from June 2015 to date is still awaiting approval from NOTAP.

lWith regards to the allegation of non-disclosure of intangible assets in SIBTC’s 2013 and 2014 financials, we note that the bank adequately recognised the software as an intangible asset in its 2011 financials and sufficiently disclosed the disposal of the software in the 2012 financials. Consequently, the said software could not have been reported as an intangible asset in the succeeding years 2013 and 2014.

• With respect to the allegation of lumping several expense items under “Others”, we are of the view that the items were not material enough to appear as line items in the Income Statement and that the non-disclosure of the items did not materially affect the true and fair view of the financial statements.

lWe agree with FRCN that SIBTC erred in the classification of some line items. However, the identified misclassifications did not understate or overstate its assets and liabilities, neither did it increase nor decrease its income or expenditure, such as would have caused a material misrepresentation of the financials.

lSIBTC used its judgment to capture the donation of M275 million under “Others” because it was of the opinion that it was not a charitable donation but a mandatory contribution towards the victims of terrorism in the country. For the avoidance of doubt, this contribution was agreed at a Bankers’ Committee Meeting, with the share for each bank clearly spelt out. Therefore, we agree with SIBTC’ s position, as presented.

lContrary to FRCN’s conclusions, our review of lAS 37 and lAS 32.19 indicate that SIBTC had an obligation to accrue the relevant provisions toward the settlement of the franchise and management fees as agreed between it and SBSA.

lWithout prejudice to the foregoing financial issues, the CBN is concerned about the apparent failure of the FRCN to follow due process as laid down by its own FRCN Act and Regulations, in arriving at the Regulatory Decision. In this regard, the bank wishes to make the following observations:

lln conducting investigation into possible breaches of the FRCN Act and/ or the Regulations, the FRCN is required to give the Entity concerned sixty (60) days from the service of Final Notice to restate its accounts where both the Panel and Entity agree on the need for restatement. In this case, our understanding is that FRCN called a meeting with the board of SIBTCH at 11.00 a.m on the 26th October 2015. But rather than holding the meeting, FRCN went ahead to convene a press conference at 8a.m on the same day to announce its sanctions against SIBTCH. Our review further indicates that both FRCN and SIBTCH did not agree on a need for restatement of the accounts before the sanctions were announced.

lAccording to the FRCN Act, an entity is only punishable under the Act upon conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction. Yet, in issuing the Final Notice, the FRCN had already meted out some punishments to the affected entity, without any conviction by a court.

lWhile FRCN may, following approval of the minister, review applicable fines, there is no power for compounding offences and imposing penalty in lieu of conviction as was done in this case.

lBoth the FRCN Act and the Regulations provide for the outcome of the investigation to be made known to a registered professional or a public interest entity and a right of appeal to the Technical and Oversight Committee before resorting to prosecution. In this case, however, there is no evidence that time was allowed to elapse for the appeal process before the imposition of sanction.

lThe Regulation provides that if the Entity fails to accept FRC’ s position at the end of a Notice period, the Council shall institute legal action against the entity, rather than mete out sanctions. Yet, in this case, sanctions have been meted out without evidence that legal action has been fully exhausted.

*A combined reading of both the Act and the Regulations shows that there are three types of sanctions that may be imposed for contraventions by Entities.

*These are: lmposition of monetary penalty/fine; Imprisonment for a term of years; Deregistration of a professional or issuance of a Warning Notice.

*There is however, no authority for suspension of registration of a professional as was done in this case.

Man kills girlfriend for rejecting marriage proposal in Imo

OWERRI—One Miss Onyinyechi Okegbulam of Egbu in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State has allegedly been killed by her boyfriend for refusing his marriage proposal.

Rape

A source, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, told Vanguard that the girl was shot in the head at close range by her supposed boyfriend in the village.

The source recalled that the deceased was, last Saturday, lured out of her family home by the boyfriend at about 7p.m.

“Some people, who were close to the scene of the crime that night, reported that as soon as the boy saw the girl approaching him, he fired at her,” the source said.

Another source claimed that soon after shooting the girl, the young man tried to smuggle Onyinyechi’s lifeless body into his car but scampered for safety when a woman raised alarm, which attracted several people to the scene.

‘He paid for the girl’s education’

Another story, however, had it that the boyfriend was responsible for the entire educational expenses of the girl, who later ditched him.

A resident of the area said: “We heard that the boy picked the bills for the girl’s education, but that the girl later abandoned the boy and opted to marry another man.

“We have even heard that the marriage has been fixed before the boyfriend struck.”

The 22-year-old Onyinyechi was, until her untimely death, a final year student of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

Although the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a deputy superintendent of police, could not be reached at press time, a reliable source in the state police headquarters, Owerri, confirmed that police had waded into the matter.

The police source said: “Police have started investigating the incident and the late girl’s parents are cooperating with us. Police will get to the root of the case.”

Man kills girlfriend for rejecting marriage proposal in Imo

OWERRI—One Miss Onyinyechi Okegbulam of Egbu in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State has allegedly been killed by her boyfriend for refusing his marriage proposal.

Rape

A source, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, told Vanguard that the girl was shot in the head at close range by her supposed boyfriend in the village.

The source recalled that the deceased was, last Saturday, lured out of her family home by the boyfriend at about 7p.m.

“Some people, who were close to the scene of the crime that night, reported that as soon as the boy saw the girl approaching him, he fired at her,” the source said.

Another source claimed that soon after shooting the girl, the young man tried to smuggle Onyinyechi’s lifeless body into his car but scampered for safety when a woman raised alarm, which attracted several people to the scene.

‘He paid for the girl’s education’

Another story, however, had it that the boyfriend was responsible for the entire educational expenses of the girl, who later ditched him.

A resident of the area said: “We heard that the boy picked the bills for the girl’s education, but that the girl later abandoned the boy and opted to marry another man.

“We have even heard that the marriage has been fixed before the boyfriend struck.”

The 22-year-old Onyinyechi was, until her untimely death, a final year student of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

Although the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a deputy superintendent of police, could not be reached at press time, a reliable source in the state police headquarters, Owerri, confirmed that police had waded into the matter.

The police source said: “Police have started investigating the incident and the late girl’s parents are cooperating with us. Police will get to the root of the case.”

Court okays ex-NSA, Dasuki, for medical treatment abroad

ABUJA — The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, gave the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), the nod to travel abroad for medical treatment.

In a ruling yesterday, trial Justice Ademola Adeniyi hinged his decision to give Dasuki  three weeks medical leave abroad on his “deteriorating health condition.”

Former national security adviser of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki

Justice Adeniyi dismissed fears by the Federal Government that the former NSA, who is facing a five-count charge bordering on alleged illegal possession of firearms and money laundering,  could go into hiding once allowed outside the shores of Nigeria.

The Federal Government  had,  through the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri,  opposed Dasuki’s application to be allowed to go for medical checkup abroad.

The DPP told the court that the government had already commenced a fresh investigation on another money laundering case involving the erstwhile NSA, saying the application was only aimed at frustrating his trial.

Besides, the Federal Government contended that the National Hospital in Abuja is well equipped to handle whatever ailment Dasuki is suffering from.

However, while dismissing Federal Government’s objections, yesterday, Justice Adeniyi held that “every citizen has a right to choose the medical facility  he wants to be treated in, whether in Nigeria or abroad.”

Placing reliance on decided case law in Abacha vs State, 2002, 5-NWLR, the court further held that ill-health constituted a special circumstance that a court should take notice of to exercise its discretion in favour of an accused person.

Justice Adeniyi said the Federal Government failed to persuade it with the argument that Dasuki is currently a subject of a fresh criminal investigation.

He said: “Presently, this court is seized of only the amended charge against the defendant which involves allegations of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms, to which the prosecution deposed an affidavit that it has concluded all investigations.”

On his international passport

On Dasuki’s application for the release of his international passport and Federal Government’s opposition on the ground that it was the only document he surrendered to secure bail on self recognition, the court dismissed the argument by the Federal Government as “misconceived and not tenable in law.”

The court stressed that the fact that the accused was on September 1 granted bail on self recognition, meant that there was no condition attached to his release.

Maintaining that every accused person, in line with section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,  ought to be presumed innocent until proved guilty, the trial judge said his decision to grant Dasuki’s request was also fortified by a decided case law in Ibori vs FRN, which he said was on all fours with the instant case before him.

“Accordingly, the application of the defendant succeeds and I hereby make the following orders:

“An order is hereby made by this court releasing the applicant’s international passport to enable him to travel abroad for three weeks for medical treatment owing to his deteriorating health condition.

“The Deputy Registrar of the Federal High Court is hereby directed to release the international passport to the defendant.

“It is also ordered that the defendant, upon his return to the country, should surrender his international passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar Litigation, within 72 hours upon his return.”

Court varies bail condition

More so, Justice Adeniyi, yesterday, relied on section 1 75 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and varied the bail it earlier granted the former NSA to include that he should provide a surety.

The court directed that the surety must sign a written undertaking to guarantee that the accused person will return to Nigeria after his medical treatment to face his trial, “failing which the surety will take the place of the defendant pending when he makes himself available for trial.

“Alternatively, any of the lawyers  to the defendant can enter an undertaking to produce him on the trial date.”

The matter was subsequently adjourned till November 26 and 27 for trial, even as Justice Adeniyi ordered the Federal Government to ensure that its witnesses are in court that day.

Ex-gov Haruna signs undertaking

Meantime, shortly after the ruling, yesterday, the former governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna, signed undertaking to take the place of the ex-NSA should he fail to return to the country after three weeks to continue his trial.

Specifically, Dasuki was in the charge before the court, alleged to have kept in his possession, funds that were proceeds of an unlawful act, an offence the Federal Government  said was contrary to section 15 (2)(d) of Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

The Federal Government  alleged that he was on July 17, 2015, at his house situated at 13, John Khadiya Street, Asokoro, Abuja, found to be in possession of various range of firearms without requisite licence, an offence punishable under section 27 (1)(a) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.

He was further accused of retaining $40,000, N5 millon and another $20,000 in the same house and same date, contrary to section 15 (2)(d) of Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

The Federal Government told the trial court that the ex-NSA had on July 16, 2015, at his residence at Sultan Abubakar Road and Sabon Birni Road, Sokoto State, retained another $150,000 and N37.6m, being part of proceedings of unlawful act, contrary to Section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering Act 2011.

Meanwhile, the court will on the next adjourned date rule on whether or not eight witnesses that are lined up against him should be allowed to wear masks.

Fayose apologises to teachers for underpayment

ADO-EKITI—Governor Ayodele Fayose yesterday apologised to primary school teachers in the state over the mix-up in the payment of their last month’s salary.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Idowu Adelusi, the governor said; “Even though the mix-up was from the State Accountant General’s office but as the state governor, he takes responsibility.

“I want to apologise for the inconsistency and problems encountered in crediting the accounts of some primary school teachers, it was after my broadcast few days back that I got a lot of text messages from some teachers that were affected.

“I sincerely want to apologise, I have gotten to the root of the matter, I have found out that there were mix-ups here and there, the accounts were credited and later withdrawn for carelessness in the accountant general’s office, for whatever it is I take responsibility, I apologise and want to assure you all the lapses will be corrected.

“My teachers at the primary school level, this money will be credited to your accounts between now and Wednesday unfailingly. My apologies.”

North East rehabilitation plan

AS the deadline for the ongoing military operations to clear the North East of the menace of Boko Haram Islamist terrorists draws nearer, the Federal Government is set to empanel a national conference to generate ideas, strategies and momentum for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the nation’s embattled frontier.

The conference, tentatively set for December 7, 2015, according to the Presidency, will involve stakeholders from the government, private sector and international partners.

It is expected that the North East Marshall Plan (NEMAP), which will be designed to tackle the immediate and long term strategies for the restoration of the broken human and infrastructure of the North East, will gulp over N200 billion.

It is noteworthy that the nation is preparing, well ahead of time, to help its embattled citizens wracked by violent insurgency which has claimed nearly 20,000 lives and displaced over two million people, to their feet as quickly as possible, rather than leaving them to their own devices when, hopefully, the enemy is defeated.

We, however, hope that a thorough job is done in ending the insurgency first before rushing to award contracts. The insurgents must be decisively flushed out and prevented from infiltrating the law abiding populace or else the returning internally displaced persons will not have the protection they need to settle down and rebuild their lives.

It does not make sense for people to go back to their communities only to live in fear of suicide bombings and hit-and-run attacks.

To keep the insurgents at bay, an effective strategy for maintaining vigilance and communal partnership with the security agencies must be put in place. We must banish the notion that only the law enforcement agencies can protect us from insurgents. Everybody has a role to play. Perhaps, it is time to give the much talked about idea of community policing a chance. No one can police a community more than members of that community.

While we wait for the laws to be amended to accommodate community policing, we suggest that the existing “Civilian JTF” networks, which have usefully partnered with the troops in the North East campaigns, should be strengthened.

The reconstruction efforts should focus mainly on restoring broken socio-economic amenities such as schools, healthcare facilities, markets, motor parks and road networks. Particular attention should be given to farmers and small-scale businesses to rejuvenate economic activities.

The people must be kept gainfully employed to avoid an upsurge of violent crimes which usually come at the end of most wars and conflicts.

The conference to rebuild the North East should be a comprehensive package to ensure that insurgency never comes back, while the people victimised by the conflict are fully reactivated.

Court slams EFCC over fresh charge against Oronsaye

ABUJA — Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, slammed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for engaging in what he termed “shoddy investigations and untidy trial of cases.”

*Mr. Stephen Oronsaye

Justice Kolawole said he was disappointed that the anti-graft agency chose to amend the charge it preferred against the former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, barely 24 hours to the commencement of full-blown trial on the matter.

“This is a very untidy manner of handling criminal prosecution and goes to further buttress the observation that the Chief Justice of Nigeria made recently to the effect that criminal trials in this court are delayed by the fact that the prosecuting agencies always resort to arresting accused persons first before investigation, rather than properly investigating cases before rushing to court.

“The question any reasonable person will ask is whether while the allegation in the former charge was being investigated, issues that formed the crux of this new charge were not there?

“Indeed I am deeply concerned that the state only realised 24 hours to hearing, that it needed to bring an amended charge.”

The court had originally fixed yesterday for the EFCC to open its case against Orosanye who was hitherto answering to a 24-count criminal charge  alongside his alleged accomplice, Mr. Osarenkhoe Afe.

Meantime, at the resumed sitting on the matter yesterday, EFCC lawyer, Mr. Adebisi Adeniyi, notified the court of the intention of the commission to file fresh charges against the accused persons.

Adebisi told the court that the agency has amended the charge from 24 counts to 35, saying additional 11 fresh allegations were added to the original  charge against the accused persons.

Besides, EFCC, through its lawyer, told the court that it has also increased the number of accused persons in the matter from three to six.It said  the new accused persons comprised of some corporate entities that the former HoS and his accomplice allegedly used to divert public funds.

The names of the indicted firms were given as- Cluster Logistics Limited, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited and Drew Investment & Construction Company Limited.

Even though Orosanye, through his lawyer, Mr. Kola Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, challenged the propriety of the fresh charges which he contended was filed without leave of the court, Justice Kolawole overruled him yesterday.

The trial Judge held that EFCC could amend the charge without firstly  securing the leave of  the court.

The Judge however maintained that the commission ought to have taken time to conclude its investigations and perfect its proof of evidence before rushing the matter to court.

Meanwhile, shortly before he fixed November 25 to take fresh plea of the accused persons, Justice Kolawole, gave the EFCC seven days to release Orosanye’s travelling documents in line with an earlier order of the court.

The court had in an order it made on the day it granted Orosanye bail on self recognition, ordered the EFCC to release the international passport he submitted when he was granted administrative bail by the agency.

Threatening to okay contempt proceeding against the anti-graft agency should it fail to release the documents within one week, Justice Kolawole said: “It is trite for  statutory agencies to realise that they cannot continue to play pranks in the name of fighting corruption.

“Even though we  must all support the fight against   corruption, it will also amount to corruption of the process of the law when extant orders of a competent court are expressly disobeyed by prosecuting agencies”.

It will be recalled that Justice Kolawole had shortly after Oronsaye was docked on July 13, allowed him to go home of the strength of an undertaking that was signed by his team of 20 lawyers led by a former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.

The court however directed EFCC to transfer his diplomatic and international passports to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court.

The 2nd accused person, Afe, was however granted bail in the sum of N50million with two sureties in like sum.

How landlady, children, nearly beat tenant to death in Lagos

A 51-year-old trader and mother of three, Sarah Bakare, who lives on Oluwole Street in the Ejigbo area of Lagos State, narrowly escaped being hacked to death recently, by the landlady and her seven children. Narrating the incident, the victim told Crime Alert after she was discharged from hospital that she was lucky to be alive to relive her ordeal.

How trouble started

Sarah Bakare

She recalled that trouble started  after she rented a room and parlour self- contained apartment last year January for which she paid N250,000. According to her, “A few months after I moved into the house, I began to experience different attacks from the landlady, Madam Lydia Opetola, and her children.

It all started in the month of March last year when I noticed that one of the landlady’s sons was fond of peeping through the door each time I was in the bathroom. At first, I ignored it but when it continued, I brought the issue to the notice of his mother. Instead of calling her son to order, she accused me of not allowing her children to live in peace in their father’s house.

So, I went to the agent to complain because before I rented the apartment, I made enquiries through the agent and he assured me that the house was okay, not  knowing he was only interested in the commission. “From peeping scenario, the landlady’s children began to turn off the source of water which also happened each time I was in the bathroom as midway, the water would stop flowing and I would have to come out of the bathroom with soap all over my body.

“At that time, I didn’t have a water reservoir. When it continued, I met the landlady and complained to her again. Then one day, five of her children challenged for daring to ask their mother why they often turn off the tap from the control source. Again, I reported this incident to the agent who pleaded on their behalf. Later, I was able to acquire a water reservoir to avoid trouble, and I was also forced to pay N10,000 as collateral for damages.”

Rent renewal

“After my rent expired,  I paid N130,000 to my landlady on February 2, 2015 and for about a month, they didn’t trouble me or my children but in April, they renewed the attacks.   Sometimes, I would buy water outside to allow peace reign. I then only fetched water when they were not in the house. I practically lived in fear. If I had known, I would have looked for another place when my rent expired.”

My ordeal

“One Sunday, I returned from church and discovered that that they had inserted sticks in the pipes outside and blocked flow of water to my bathroom and kitchen. At this point, I invited some landlords in the area to come and see what was happening and that the attacks and humiliation had become unbearable for me. Seven of the landlady’s children attacked me for calling the landlords and allowing them into the compound.

My landlady walked out on them, saying she had nothing to discuss with them. The landlords then advised that if they didn’t want me to live in the house any longer, they should refund the rent I paid so that I could move out instead of not allowing me to have peace. Their response was that they did not have the money to refund and that I should continue till November when my rent would expire.

In the month of August when my landlady requested for money for electricity bill, I told her to use part of my outstanding N15,000 balance with her. “About two weeks ago, they disconnected electricity supply to my apartment. When there is power supply I won’t have electricity. I kept mute as I could not query them for fear of being attacked. On Thursday, October 14, I didn’t have water.

So, I went to fetch water from the tap outside my apartment. Immediately I opened the tap, one of the landlady’s sons, Folorunsho, hit me with a plank and I fell down. Before I realised what happened to me, all the seven descended on me, hitting me with different objects. I started shouting for help but as I was shouting, they  put on their generator so that people would not hear my voice.

While this was going on, the landlady kept threatening that they would kill and bury me inside the compound and nobody would know. They also attacked my daughter who ran to my aid when she heard my cries. One of them broke a bottle which they used to stab me on the face.

“All attempts by neighbours to rescue me failed as they attacked anyone who entered the compound. Maybe, I would have died if the neighbours had not called OPC members who rescued me and my daughter. Immediately the OPC came into the compound, some of the children escaped.”

Eyewitness accounts

A neighbour, Olanrewaju Afolayan, who owns a shop in the neighbourhood, came to Sarah’s rescue. According to the neighbour, “On that day, I heard noise and I ran to where it was coming from. I tried to go into the compound but a male voice warned that I should not intervene. I defied the threat and found my way in to help Madam Sarah. I was given a slap and beaten with a plank, too.”

Another eyewitness who gave her name as Mrs Kashimu also alleged that Mrs Opetola and her children were brutal. She said, “It was my son who called my attention to what was happening. But I did not take it serious until he told me that our neighbour who went in to help was beaten up. Thank God for some neighbours who alerted the OPC men. I feel it was a planned work, an attempt to kill Sarah.

They even went to put on the generator so that the sound could cover up her cries for help. I want them to pay for what they have done because this is not the first time they would do that. Every other tenant that has lived with them has never known peace. They really surprise us with their attitude. I want justice for Sarah so that it will not repeat itself with another person. They are a real terror in our community.”

Landlady disappears with family

When Crime Alert visited the scene of the incident at No 21, Oluwole Street, Ejigbo, neither the landlady nor her children were available for comment. It was said that the entire family had disappeared after they were released on bail and told to report to the police station on Monday, last week.

Sarah said she suspects foul play in the way the Police in Ejigbo Division is handling the matter. “The police told me that the lawyer who came for the release of my landlady and her children dropped a fake address and that when he was contacted by the IPO whose name was given as Sergeant Joy, he told them his clients were not disposed to appear at the station.

“When my landlady and her children were released last Friday and got back to the compound on Saturday, I was in my room when I heard the children asking if I was still here, and that they would kill me. I called the IPO and informed her. The police came to the house this Monday, my landlady and her children did not show up at the police station.

“I have spent over N30,000 so far on treatment at the Isolo General Hospital. I am calling on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to please intervene in this matter. The police at Ejigbo are not handling the case as they should. The Opetolas should be fished out from their hiding place.”

When Crime Alert  contacted DSP Joseph Offor, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, for his comment, he did not respond to calls and text messages sent to him.

EFCC arraigns Suswam over N3.1bn fraud today

After several days of extended interrogations, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will today arraign the former Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, for money laundering and embezzlement.

The arraignment of Suswam, who ruled Benue State from 2007 to 2015, follows the filing of a nine-count charge largely bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1 billion against him at the Federal High Court Abuja on October 2.

Gov Suswam

Suswam and his former finance commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia were alleged to have diverted the proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd.

The offence is punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 20111 as amended in 2012.

It will be recalled that in a bid to set the stage for the prosecution of Suswam, the commission grilled him and his former finance commissioner, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, for many days last month but released them on administrative bail.

The two men, it was learned from their interrogators, were shown documents relating to the alleged crimes preferred against them and they were asked to defend themselves to enable the commission to determine their culpability or otherwise.

A source in the agency confirmed, last night, that the commission was convinced that the former governor and those who aided him to lauder the funds of the state must be charged to court.

The source said: “Barring any last minute hitch, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will formally arraign the former governor of Benue State,Gabriel Suswam before an Abuja Court tomorrow, November 4, 2014.

“The anti-graft agency had on Monday, October 2, 2015 filed a nine-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1 billion at a Federal High Court, Abuja.”

While Suswam is facing the trial by the EFCC, he had successfully stopped his probe by the state governor, Samuel Ortom, by securing the order of the Benue State High Court to restrain the commission of enquiry raised by the governor from investigating his tenure.

It is not clear if Suswam will also get the same court to restrain the EFCC from proceeding with his trial.

JUSUN STRIKE: Anambra CJ moves to decongest Police cells

Nnewi—Following the strike by the Judicial staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, that has lasted for three months so far, the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi has set up a mobile court to help decongest the police cells now filled with suspects.

File Photo: Inmates at a prison facility

Making this disclosure to newsmen, the provost of Idemili branch of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Pat Agbata, said: “It is now three months since the judiciary went on strike in the state and it is affecting us and our clients.

“We live based on what we get from the court. Suspects are languishing in police cells because there is no fair hearing on their matter. Based on that, a mobile court has been set up to decongest the police cells and they started about a week ago in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.

That of Awka was at the CID headquarters, followed by Onitsha and t hen Nnewi and they were being presided over by the administrative magistrates in the zones.

“Those with capital matters were sent to prisons and others with minor offences were not given fair trial because lawyers were not there to defend them,” he said.

For those who were given bail their fundamental right is being denied,” he said.

Asked if it was a competent court he said, “it was done on arrangement to decongest the police cells. It is not a regular court, we have to improvise a means to decongest the cel;ls and also allow people who are unnecessarily languishing in police cells to be free”.

Barrister Agbata urged Governor Willie Obiano to come to the rescue of the judiciary by calling off the strike stressing that suspects are dying while others are languishing in prisons.

Buhari declares opens 2 day retreats for ministerial-designates in Abuja today

ABUJA- President Mohammadu Buhari is expected to declare open a two day retreat for the confirmed ministerial nominees later this morning.

The retreat which would run from today through Friday would hold at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina confirmed the development to Vanguard late last night.

“The retreat would open to moor in the villa”, he said.

It is believed that the exercise would herald the inauguration of the ministers